2023 SUMMER PREMIER AUCTION
Wed, Aug 9, 2023 08:00PM EDT - Sun, Aug 27, 2023 10:31AM EDT
Timed Auction
Lot 337
1936 Horton Smith (Winner of Inaugural 1934 & '36 Masters) Original Photograph from Brown Brothers Collection PSA/DNA Type 1
Sold for
$264
Sold Price includes BP
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $200 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $30,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $25,000 |
| $500,000 | $50,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $100,000 |
The PGA Tour was founded in 1934 and Missouri-born Horton Smith was perhaps the most successful player on tour during its early years, winning a total of 30 PGA tournaments – his last in 1941. Smith was the only golfer to defeat Bobby Jones during his near-perfect Grand Slam campaign of 1930. His two greatest career achievements, though, came at August National, the famous course founded and designed by his nemesis. As fate would have it, Smith stole Mr. Jones' thunder by winning The Masters at Augusta in its inaugural 1934 event. Smiith won The Masters again in 1936 and finished atop the PGA money list that season. He played in every Masters Tournament held through 1963, the year he died.
Among golf collectors, Horton Smith has a passionate following similar to early baseball pioneers like Cy Young and Honus Wagner. In 2013, the inaugural Green Jacket presented to Smith sold for nearly $700,000 at auction – the highest price ever paid for a piece of golf memorabilia until the "Tiger Slam" iron set eclisped $5 million last year. Considered the greatest putter of all time, Horton wrote a book, “The Secret of Holing Putts”, in which both Walter Hagen and Bobby Jones credited him so in their forwards. Said renowned sportswriter Grantland Rice, "Horton is the finest all-around putter I ever saw. And I've seen Walter J. Travis and Jerry Travers at their best. I've seen Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen when they were 'hot'. But Smith has a certain smoothness in stroking every type of putt that lifts him above them all."
Presented here is a tremendous original photograph of Horton Smith from the famed Brown Brothers Collection taken during his dominant 1936 campaign. Smith's backswing is on full display for the camera as he is dressed to the nines with his knickers rolled up, a long-sleeved shirt and neck tie. Measuring 7.75" x 9.5" with top and left edge white borders, the verso is stamped "National Open Golf Championship" with two Brown Brothers stamps, and "Horton Smith - Joplin MO" notated in pencil and other editorial marks. The photo has a fairly smooth surface with some edge and corner wear on the left side, plus a couple thumb tack holes from mounting that are barely visible. Overall, it's easily one of the best examples you will find of golf's first Masters champion! Encapsulated Type I by PSA/DNA.
Payment for your invoice must clear in full prior to shipping. All items will be shipped from SCP Auctions’ Laguna Niguel, CA office in the order that payments are received. Please allow up to three business days following clearance of payment for items to ship. All items will be shipped UPS/FedEx Ground unless you contact us to discuss an alternative shipping method. If you would like your items shipped in a different method, such as UPS/FedEx Next Day or UPSFedEx 2-Day, you must contact our Post Sale Services Manager Veronica Rodriguez by emailing customerservice@scpauctions.com to discuss alternative shipping instructions. Prior to bidding, please be aware of estimated shipping costs, especially for large or heavy lots. You may contact SCP Auctions for any shipping estimates lots you are bidding on or interested in bidding on. If you intend to pick up your items in person at the SCP Auctions office, please call us to schedule. Payment must clear prior to items being available for pick-up.
